Drosophila pseudoobscura and D.persimilis are two fly species that live in the western United States.The smaller geographic range of D.persimilis is enclosed within the range of D.pseudoobscura.Research shows that D.pseudoobscura taken from areas that overlap with D.persimilis are less likely to mate with D.persimilis than are the D.pseudoobscura flies from populations that do not come into contact D.persimilis.What is the most likely explanation for these results?
A) Temporal isolation
B) The Dobzhansky-Muller model of reproductive isolation
C) Reinforcement
D) Habitat Isolation
E) Adaptive radiation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Reinforcement is the most likely explanation for these results. It refers to the process where natural selection increases reproductive isolation between two populations of species, which in this case, leads to D. pseudoobscura from overlapping areas being less likely to mate with D. persimilis to avoid producing less fit hybrid offspring.

Drosophila Pseudoobscura and D